Rail anchor



Dec. 21 1926.

H. a. WARR RAIL ANCHOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22 1925 Deca- H. RR

RAIL ANCHOR Filed Oct. 22, 1925 2 Sheet Q 2 f A a I I Li? L? 1; 16x91 Patented Dec. 21, 1926. 1

UNITED STATES PATENT @FHQE.

HAROLD G. WARE, F PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS. ASSIGI IOB TO THE P 8; 'M. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RAIL ANCHOR.

Application filed Qctober 22, 1925. Serial No. 64,147.

My invention relates to rail anchors anding the has for its primary object the provision of a new and improved rail anchor device which, when applied to its operative aosition on a rail, will maintain its operative position thereon by spring pressure and which will lock itself on the rail so as to prevent accidental removal therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved two-piece rail anchor. in which the parts when free of the rail, are normally held together by spring pressure, so that the parts of the device may be assembled at the factory and shipped therefrom, in readiness to be applied to a rail.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide a two-piece rail anchor in which one of the members is subjected to a torsional strain during its application to a rail, so as to exert a spring grip on the upper and lower surfaces of the rail base andis held in said torsioned condition by means of the other memb r, which is movable thereon and adapted to be driven into engagement with the rail base.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved two-piece rail anchor, the parts of which may be made from flat metal blanks of such configuration as to avoid any substantial loss of metal in shearing the blanks. In this connection the invention contemplates a two-piece anchor comprising a rail base embracing member formed with a recess to receive the base portion of a rail, and a clip member of such shape that it may be formed from the metal removed from the recessed portion of the said rail base embracing member.

The invention has for further objects the novel arrangement, construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rail anchor constructed in accordance With my invention, applied to the base portion of a railroad rail.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the rail anchor construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the anchor showing the same in its partially applied position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showanchor in its fully applied position.

Flg. 5 is a view in perspective of the two members of the improved anchor, showing the members in their normal engagement with each other when free of the rail.

Fig. 6 is a view of a metal strip showing the blanks from which the members of my improved anchor are formed, the blanks being shown in their nesting arrangement.

Fig. 7 is a View of one of the blanks shown in Fig. 6, but drawn on a larger scale, and.

Fig. 8 is an end view of another embodiment of my invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawings, 10 designates the base portion of a railroad rail and 11 one of the cross ties on which the rail is supported. The embodiment of my invention illustrated in the above figures consists preferably of a rail base embracing yoke member 12, made of spring metal, and a clip 13 adapted to support one end of the yokein its operative position on the rail base. The body portion of the yoke is provided with a recess 14L adapted to receive the base portion of the rail, the recess being of such configuration as to provide a aw jaw 15 normally bears with spring pressure agalnst the top surface of the rail base when the anchor is applied to its operative position, the spring pressure being effected preferably by subjecting the yoke to a torsional strain during its application {to the rail. The jaw 15 is preferably bent to an angular position with respect to the body and the body is preferably, though not necessarily, given a normal torsional set (shown best in Fig. 5) so that the end portion 16 will stand at an angle to the body of the yoke when the yoke is free of the rail. With this arrangement of the end portion 16 of the yoke with respect to the jaw 15, the end of the jaw will be forced downwardly against the top surface of the. rail base when the yoke is torsioned in the direction to bring the end portoin 16 to a substantially vertical position with respect to the bottom surface of the rail base.

The yoke is held in its applied torsional condition by means of the clip member 13 which engages the yoke and the base portion of the rail in such manner as to resist the tendency of the yoke to return to the 15 at one end of the yoke and an up-, standing portion 16 at the other end. The

the recessed portion 14; of the yoke so as to provide an interlocking engagement of the yoke and clip when both members are in their operative position on a rail.

The clip is preferably made of spring metaland is or" such shape and size that it can be "formed from the metal strip removed from the recess 1st of the yoke. The form oi? the blanks from which the yoke and the clip members are formed are shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. By reference to Fig. 6, it 'ill be seen that the shearing of both blanks 12 13 produces but a very small amount of metal scrap, the pieces 01'? metal scrap being indicated in said figure by reference characters A, Band C. In producing the yoke blanks ior rails having base flanges or diiierent widths, the length D of the clip blank may vary somewhat with relation to the width of the yoke and in proportion to the increase or decrease in the width of the rail base. However, when it is desired to provide the clip blank with relatively heavy jaw portions 26 and 21, the length of the yoke jaw 15 may be varied to produce a longer or shorter blank, as may be desired. Under such conditions, it is also possible to obtain the desired result by cutting away the lower edge of the yoke shown at 22, in Fig. 2 of the drawings, instead of varying the length oi the yoke jaw.

The clip is preferably torined so that it will be necessary to spr ad the end. apart in applying it to the end 16 of the yoke. llith such construction the clip may be fitted on the and oi the yoke at the factor and shipped as a one-piece anchor, thereby avoiding any misiittingol' the anchor parts by the track workmen when applying the anchors.

In applying the anchor to the rail, the yoke and clip. assembled, as shown in Fig. are positioned on the rail base so that the j z T 15 ot the yoke will be hooked over one flange of the rail base, in which position, the other end of the yoke and the clip carried thereon will stand at an angle with respect to the bottom of the rail base, as shown in Fig. 3. A wrench o f the type shown in outline in Figs. 1 and 3, or of other suitable form, is applied over the clip and the yoke is torsioned Until the recesses 1'? and 18 of the (lib are in line with the adiacent edge of the rail base. The clip 13 is then driven longitudinally oi? the yoke 12, by striking the lower portion oi the wrench with a sledge or by otherwise applying force to the clip to more the jaw portii'ins 2t), 20 and 21, 21 into tight gripping engagement with the upper and lower surfaces of the rail base. The tongue 19 of the clip is so proportioned with respect to the depth ot the recesses 17 and 18 that it will snap back of the shoulder 23 of the yoke when the clip is driven home and thereby lock the yoke and clip on the rail. The torsional strain to which the yoke is subjected during its application exerts a powerful grip of the jaw 15 on the rail so as to maintain the yoke in its applied position. After the clip is driven to its interlocked position on the yoke, the clip end of the anchor may be driven longi tudinally of the rail to bring one face of the clip into engagement with an adjacent cross tie. The other end of the yoke may be driven toward the tie until the yoke stands in a position diagonally across the rail, as shown in Fig. 1 oi the drawings. in ii latter position the vertical shoulder 3 or the clip and shoulder El of the yoke take a shackle grip on opposite edges of the rail base to rcsiat the creeping movement of the rail. The tendency which the .spring yoke has to return to the position from which it was sprung tends to cant the clip so as to increase the grip of its jaws on the upper and lower tacos ofthe base flange of the rail. Ordinarily the fit of the clip .jaws on the rail flange will be tight enough to prevent any actual canting of the clip. However. it

there is any looseness pr sent it will be taken up by the canting action.

seen i; am an inspection o i' the Che: ma

it will he draw 1: appl ed. to a rail with the jaw 1' merit with e ther iianij' I the arrangement shown in the ilrawin' 's tl jaw 55 extends to aid the tie and the yoke is tcnsionrd h i turnii 3 the end portion 16 "d the adjacent cross tie. ll'ith this arrane'cnwnt. the 'ircssurc of the clip against the tie slur 'lhe iu'escncc oi a creep ing pressure on the rail, tends to cant the o'rip I. .1 v n1w r or in a direction to up. i ease tee in race 0. the rail v! base and also cll'ect'a shackle jm'vs flll 'ii on the upper and low of the rail ba e. hen so tha jaw if) eng at the oppczws te wi l l or; tend in adjacent crr is a and (l of the drawings. under such arrangement the pressure of the is ten-iplared in Figs. TY

fill

base.

' body portion of the yoke.

-clip against the tie during the presence of.

en 'a 'in recess 18 and the clia blank so bent that the other end of the blank will bear against the under surface of the rail With. this embodiment, the clip blank may be bent at any point so that when bent in its final position it will accommodate relatively wide yoke members and thereby avoid cutting away the yoke, as indicated at 22 in Fig. 2. r

In the drawings I haye shown my preferred form of rail embracing yoke, in which the aw portion 15 is bent at an angle to the It will be obvious, however, that the bend in the jaw may be omitted and the jaw formed in the plane of the body. 7

While I have illustrated my invention in two specific embodiments, it will be understood-tl'iat I desire'to claim the invention,

both broadly and specifically in all phases coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: .1

l. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing member adapted to engage a rail base at opposite sides of the rail and a clip engaging said rail base and said embracing memebr, and spring means on one of said members adapted to snap into interlocking engagement with the other member.

2. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing member adapted to engage a rail base at opposite sides of the rail and a clip engaging said rail base and said embracing member. and spring means on said clip mem= ber adapted to snap into interlocking engagement with said rail base embracing member.

3. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing member adapted to engage a rail base at oppositesides of the rail and a clip engaging said rail base and said embracing member, spring means on said clip member adapted to snap into interlocking engagement with said rail base embracing member; the arrangement of said base eml'iraring member and said clip member being such that the clip is driven transversely of the rail to its normal operative position.

A rail anchor comprising a spring member provided at one endwith means for engaging; one flange of a rail base and at the other end with means for engaging the other flange of said base, and a clip slidable longi- 'tudinally of said spring'member into engagement with the rail base to hold said spring member in its normal rail-gripping position.

5. A rail anchor comprising a spring mem-- ber provided at one end with means for engaging one flange of a rail base and atthe other-end with means for engaging the other flange oi said base, and a spring clip slidablelongitudinally of said'spring member .into engagement with the rail base to hold saidspring member in normal rail gripping position; the arrangement of the spring member and clip being such that the spring member is tensioned when said clip is in its normal operative position on a rail.

(5. A rail anchor comprising a spring member provided at one end with means for engaging one flange of a rail base and at the other endwith means for engaging the other flange of said base. and a clip slidable longitudinally of said spring member into ongagement with said base to hold said spring member in its normal rail gripping position; the arrangement of the spring member and c-lipbeing such that the spring member is torsioned when saidclip is in its normal. operative position on the rail.

7. A rail. anchor comprising a spring member provided at one end wit-h means for engaging one'flange of a rail base and at the other end with means for engaging the other flange or said base, and a clip slidable longitudinally ot' the spring member into engagement with the rail base to hold said member in its normal rail-gripping position; the arrangement of the spring member and clip being such that the spring member is required to be torsioned to permit said clip to longitudinally of said spring member into engagement with the rail base to hold said spring member in its normal rail gripping position.

9. Arail anchor comprising aspringmember provided at one end with means for engaging one flange of a rail base and at the other end with means for engaging the other flange of said base. and a clip provided with means for hearing against the top and bottom surfaces or the rail base at one side of therail and slidable longitudinally of said spring into engagement with the rail base to hold said spring member in its normal rail-gripping position. i

10., A rail anchor comprising a yoke member provided at one end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top surface of a rail base at one side or" the rail and provided at the other end with means for engaging the rail base at the other side ofthe rail, anda clip ill) formed with portions for engaging the-top and bottom surfaces of the rail base and slidable on the last mentioned end of said yoke into gripping engagement with the rail 'slidable'on the last mentioned end of said yoke into gripping engagement with the rail base, and a spring tongue on said clip adaptedto snap over an edge of the yoke to lock the yoke and clip in their operative position on the rail.

'12. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed at one-end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top surface of the rail base at one side ofthe rail and provided at the other end with means for engaging the .railbaseattheother side of the rail, and a spring clip embracing the last mentioned and of said yoke and provided with means for engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the rail base to support the said yoke in its gripping position; said clip being formed to maintain a spring grip on the yoke when the latter is free of the rail, but is slidable longitudinally of the yoke to effect its said engagement with the rail base.

13. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed at one end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top surface of the rail base atone side of the rail and provided at the other end with means for engaging the rail base at the other side of the rail, a substantially 'Ushaped clip embracing the last mentioned end of said yoke and provided with means for engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the rail base to support the said yoke in its gripping position and with a spring tongue adapted to snap into locking engagement with a part of the yoke when the yoke and clip are in gripping position on the rail; the ends of said clip being formed to exert spring pressure on the yoke, whereby it is retained thereon when the yoke is free of the rail, but may be slid longitudinally of the yoke to its applied rail-gripping position.

14. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed at one end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top surface 'of the rail base at one side of the rail and provided at the other end with means for engaging the rail "base at the other side of the rail, and a clip normally supported on the yoke when the latter is free of the rail and adapted to be driven transversely of the rail to its noranal operative position.

'15. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed at one end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top surface of the rail base at one side of the rail and provided at the other end with means for engaging the rail base at the other side of the rail, and a clip which normally grips the yoke with spring pressure to maintain its position thereon when th iatter is free of the rail.

16. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side of the rail and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the said aw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a clip having means for engaging the rail and movable longitudinally of said yoke into gripping engagement with the rail base.

17. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side of the rail and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail,'the

body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a clip e1nbracing one end of the yoke, provided with a jaw adapted to engage the rail base, and movable longitudinally of the yoke into gripping engagement with a rail base.

18. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base: and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a clip arranged on one end of the yoke and adapted to be moved into gripping engagement with the rail base.

19. A rail anchor comprising a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side thereof and provided. at the other end with a, portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base, and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shap'ed clip arranged on one end of the yoke and adapted to be moved thereon into gripping engagement with the rail base.

20. In. a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail whereby the said aw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising aclip arranged on one end of the yoke adapted to be moved thereon into gripping engagement with the rail base, and a spring tongue on the clip adapted to snap over a part of said yoke to lock the clip thereon.

21. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the "said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip arranged on one end of the yoke and adapted to be moved thereon into gripping engagement with the base, and a spring tongue on the clip adapted 'to snap over a part of said yoke to lock the clip thereon.

22. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of the rail at one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its applied position on the rail, whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base;

' and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip slidable on one end of the yoke, formed with means for engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base, and provided with a locking tongue adapted to snap over a part'of the yoke when the clip is driven to its rail-gripping position.

23. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at on side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative positionon the rail, whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip slidable on one end of the yoke, formed with means for engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base, and provided with a locking tongue adapted to snap over a part of the'yoke when the clip is driven to its rail-gripping position, the end portions of said clip being formed to exert pressure against the yoke so as to support the clip thereon when the yoke is free of the rail.

24.- In a rail anchor, the combination of a springyoke formed atone end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of the rail at one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position onthe rail, whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means formaintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip slidable on one end of the yoke, formed with means for engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base, and provided with means adapted to snap over a part of the yoke when the clip is driven to its rail gripping position, the arrangement of said yoke and clip being such that-the torsional stress of the yoke 'is exerted through said clip against the upper and lower surfaces of the rail base.

25. In a rail anchor, the combination of the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the said jaw is forced into gripping engagement with the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip slidable on one end of the yoke, formed with means for engaging the rail base on opposite sides of the yoke, and provided with a locking tongue adapted to snap over a part of the yoke when the clip is driven to its rail-gripping position.

26. In a railanchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end 'with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail at one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail, the body portion of the yoke being normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the said aw is forced into gripping engagementwith the rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip slidable on one end of the yoke formed with rail base receiving recesses on opposite sides of the yoke, and provided with a locking tongue adapted to snap over a part of the yoke when the clip is driven to its rail-gripping position,

27. In a rail anchor, the combination of a spring yoke formed at one end with a jaw adapted to embrace the base flange of the rail one side thereof and provided at the other end with a portion for engaging the rail base at the opposite side of the rail the body portion of the yokebeing normally torsioned when in its operative position on the rail, whereby the said aw is fOIced into gripping engagement withthe rail base; and means for maintaining the yoke in its torsioned condition comprising a U-shaped clip slidable on one end of the yoke, provided witlrrail griping means, and provided with a tie-abutting portion whereby the yoke may assume a position diagonally across the rail base to effect a shackle hold on opposite edges of the rail base.

28. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed from a blanksheared along lines to provide a recess to receive the base portion of a rail and a clip member adapted to support one end of the yoke member formed from a metal blank, the length and width of which are substantially equal to the length and width of the strip, of metal removed from the recess of said yoke blank.

29. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed from a blank sheared alonglines to provide a recess to receive the base por tion of a rail, and a substantially U-shaped clip member adapted to embrace one end of the yoke and being formed from a blank, the length and thickness ofwhich are substantially equal to the length and thickness of the metal strip removed from the recess of said yoke blank.

30. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed from a blanksheared along lines to provide a recess to receive the base portion of a rail and a clip member adapted to support one end of the yoke formed from a metal blank provided at one end with a recess adapted to fit over one edge of a rail and bent to hear at the other end against the bottom surface of the rail base.

31. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member formed from a blank sheared along lines to provide a recess to receive a base portion of a rail and a clip member adapted to support one end of the yoke, said clip member being provided at one extremity with a spring tongue and bent to bear at the other extremity against the bottom surface the rail.

3: 3. A rail anchor comprising a spring bar recesed to form at one end a rail gripping portion adapted to bear with spring pressure ag 1st the top surface of the rail base and p .ed the other end with a 'tion adapted to be driven transvers 1y of the rail into gripping engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base. the said bar being formed with a normal torsional set, whereby said jaw portions are normally disposed at an angle to each other when the device is free of the rail and where by it is nece sary to suliject said bar to torsional stre. w ien moving the second mentioned jaw into position to engage the rail base.

A rad anchor comprising spring bar recessed to form a rail gripping jawportion at one end thereof adapted to bear with spring iressure upon the top surfaceof the rail bases; one side of therail andprovided at the other end with a j aw portion adapted tobe driven transversely of the rail into grippingengagement with the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base at the other side of the rail, said bar being formed with a normal torsional set whereby saidjaw. portions are normally disposed at an angle to each other when the device is free of the rail and whereby it is necessary tosubject said her to torsional stress in movingthe second mentioned jaw portion into position to engage the rail base.

Set. A rail anchor comprising a yoke 1ne1nber formed at one end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top. surface. of one base flange of the rail, a clip slidably engaging the other end of said yoke and provided with aws for engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the other base flange of the rail, said clip jaws being disposed withrelation to said yoke. jaw, whereby the yoke is torsioned when moving saidclip jaws. into position to bear. against the top and bottom surfaces of said base flange.

35. A railanchor comprising a yoke member formed at one endwitha jaw. adapted to bear against the top surface of one base flange of the rail, a clip slidably engaging the, other end of said yoke and provided with jaws for engaging the topand bottom surfaces of the other base flange of the. rail, said clip jaws being disposed.with relation to said yoke ja-w. whereby the yoke is torsioned when moving said clip jawsinto position to bear against the topand bottom surfaces of said base flange and whereby sressure of the. clip against a cross tie tends to increase said torsion of the yoke.

36. A rail anchor comprising a yokemember formed at one end with a. jaw. adapted to bear against the top surface of one base flange of the rail, a clip movable into inter lock' engagement with the other end of said yoke, and provided with jaws for engaging the top and bottom surfaces, of the other base flange ofthe rail said clip jaws being disposed with relation to said yoke jaw whereby the yoke is torsionedwhen moving said clip jaws into position to bear.

against the top and bottom surfaces of said base flange, and whereby pressure of the clip against a cross tie tends to increase said torsion of the yoke.

37. A rail anchor comprising a spring yoke member formed at one end with a jaw adapted to bear against the top surface of one base flange of the rail, a clip slidably engaging the other end of said yoke and provided with jaws for engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the other base flange of the rail, said clip jaws being disposed with relation to said yoke jaw, whereby the yoke is torsioned when moving said clip jaws into position to bear against the top and bottom surfaces of said base flange, so that the tension of said yoke tends to cant the clip to effect a shackle hold on the rail base, and whereby pressure of the clip against the tie tends to increase said shackle grip.

HAROLD G. WARR. 

